Dick Sparrow was the driver of this massive 40-horse hitch appearing at a Fourth of July parade, circa 1972.
The sight of forty horses arranged in ten rows of four large Belgians was truly remarkable at the conclusion of Milwaukee’s circus parades, with Elmer R. “Dick” Sparrow at the helm of this impressive team.
Dick Sparrow, a robust individual, required every bit of his strength to manage the reins when the 40-horse hitch made its debut at the Fourth of July Schlitz Circus Parade in 1972.
Prior to bringing the 40-horse hitch to Milwaukee, Sparrow faced the challenge of logistics, as the last significant attempt at such a large circus parade unit had occurred at the turn of the previous century. Renowned in draft horse communities, Dick Sparrow, a resident of Zearing, Iowa, was approached by Chappie Fox, the founder of the circus parade, who inquired if he could undertake this endeavour.
Dick Sparrow confidently affirmed his capability. However, he noted that no teamsters experienced in driving 40-horse hitches were still living. With Fox’s assistance, Sparrow meticulously examined photographs from the 1890s using a magnifying glass to understand the intricacies of the harnesses and hitching methods. He then devised a plan, assembled his teamโcarefully placing horses with varying temperaments in designated positionsโand practiced extensively before arriving in Milwaukee.
“It was enormous. You could see the horses long before the wagon came into view,” recalled Dave SaLoutos, who took on the role of circus parade director in 1989.
SaLoutos expressed admiration for Sparrow’s skill, noting that in subsequent parades, Sparrow’s son Paul would also demonstrate the ability to halt the team next to the parade reviewing stand and reverse them.
“It was likely our top attraction, which is significant considering the many favorites we had in those parades. We typically reserved it for the finale. People would certainly remain to witness it,” SaLoutos remarked on Wednesday.
